Sava returns with his unique three-dimensional, computer-generated artwork in this long overdue second issue of The Lab. His detailed but simplistic tone definitely seems more at home with cartoony characters as opposed to super-heroes (as we saw in Spider-Man: Quality of Life. What's really impressive, though, is that Sava has clearly refined his techniques and artwork. The visuals here are much stronger than what we've seen from him in past efforts. Where the book comes up short is in terms of plot, which is cute but far too thin for a full length comic book.
Professional test subject Estaban guides his scientist pal Livingston to his brand-new laboratory, and the intelligent little mole is blown away... literally. After resettling into the new lab (twice), Livingston gets back to work on Product X, and that means that Estaban has to get back to work as the chemist's very own personal guinea pig. Product X has a wholly different and unexpected side effect this time, and it makes for a musical -- and embarrassing -- afternoon in the lab.
It's clear that there's a far greater depth in Sava's computer-generated artwork here. The characters don't seem as flat and stiff as they did in the first issue of this series, and it seems as though a greater array of points of view are to be found here as well. The depth and detail are so strong that one could almost describe the visuals as photorealistic, if the characters weren't so cartoony and over-the-top in appearance. The only time I found the visuals a bit on the weak side is when they're overwhelmed by the lettering. Sava seems to get too extreme initially when it comes to the song lyrics.
Sava's background in animation comes through clearly in the plot. This is a silly story worthy of a modern-day Bugs Bunny short. The problem is that a good deal of the humor stems from physical comedy and the inherent silliness of hearing someone incapable of singing trying to sing. In other words, movement and sound are key elements to the success of the jokes, and they just don't work as well in this printed format.
Nevertheless, funny cartoons, printed or otherwise, are still funny, and I couldn't help but smile as I thumbed my way through this issue. Though the book cries out for more in the way of plot and more characters as well, there's no arguing that Sava has a solid foundation for a cute little funnybook here.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
